You're not doing it on purpose. Your partner might mention it — a clicking or clenching sound in the night. Or you might notice it yourself: jaw soreness when you wake up, headaches that seem to have no explanation, teeth that look shorter or flatter than they used to.
Teeth grinding — clinical name bruxism — is one of the most common and most destructive dental conditions. Most people who have it do not know they have it until the damage is already done.
Two Types of Bruxism — and Why the Difference Matters
Sleep bruxism. Occurs during sleep. The jaw muscles clench and grind involuntarily, often with significantly more force than during waking hours. This is the most common form and the most damaging — because you're not aware it's happening and the force applied is much higher than conscious grinding.
Awake bruxism. Clenching during the day, usually during moments of concentration, stress, or frustration. Awareness and behavioural techniques can help manage this form more directly.
Both types cause the same damage. Sleep bruxism is harder to address because you cannot control it consciously while you're unconscious.
The Damage Builds Silently — Until It Doesn't
The effects of untreated bruxism accumulate over months and years:
- Enamel wear. The first and most common sign. Teeth flatten, cusps disappear, chewing surfaces become smooth. Once enamel is gone, it's gone.
- Tooth fractures. Chronic heavy force cracks teeth — sometimes catastrophically. Cracked teeth often need crowns. Severely cracked teeth may need extraction.
- Jaw pain and dysfunction. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) takes the strain of repetitive clenching. Pain, clicking, and restricted opening can develop.
- Headaches. Tension in the jaw muscles refers pain to the temples. Morning headaches that fade by mid-day are a classic sign.
- Tooth sensitivity. As enamel thins, dentin is exposed. Hot, cold, and sweet stimuli reach the nerve more easily.
How to Know If You're Grinding
Most people with sleep bruxism don't know they do it until a partner tells them, or until a dentist spots the signs at a check-up.
Look for:
- Flattened, shortened, or worn-looking teeth
- Chips or fractures in teeth with no obvious cause
- Jaw soreness or stiffness in the morning
- Frequent morning headaches
- Partner reports clicking or grinding sounds at night
- A feeling of facial fatigue when you wake up
A dentist can confirm the diagnosis by examining your teeth for wear patterns and jaw muscles for tenderness.
What Actually Stops It: The Evidence-Based Approach
There is no cure for bruxism — but there is effective management.
Night guard (occlusal splint). This is the standard first-line treatment. A custom-fitted hard acrylic guard worn at night does not stop the grinding, but it:
- Prevents enamel wear
- Absorbs and distributes the forces, reducing jaw joint strain
- Allows the jaw muscles to relax more fully
Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards are not a substitute. They don't fit accurately, they can actually trigger more clenching, and they don't last. A custom guard from your dentist is worth the investment.
Stress management. Stress is a major driver of awake bruxism and contributes to sleep bruxism. Exercise, mindfulness, counselling, and addressing sleep quality all help.
Botox. In severe, treatment-resistant cases, injections into the masseter muscle can reduce its clenching force. This is a specialist treatment but it is effective for patients whose bruxism has not responded to conventional approaches.
Correcting bite problems. If a high filling or unbalanced bite is contributing, adjusting it can help reduce grinding. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Why You Shouldn't Wait to Get a Guard
The enamel you've lost does not grow back. Every night of grinding without a guard is cumulative and irreversible damage.
A custom night guard costs significantly less than the crowns, fillings, and dental work needed to repair grinding damage. It is one of the most cost-effective interventions in dentistry.
If you suspect you're grinding, book a dental appointment. We'll examine your teeth, confirm the diagnosis, and have a guard made for you within two appointments.
At Meads Village Dental Practice, we assess every patient for signs of bruxism at routine check-ups. If we see the wear patterns, we'll tell you — even if you haven't noticed anything yourself.
Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com